The #MiddletownRI Town Council authorizes its legal team to review a Project Labor Agreement for the new middle-high school at 1225 Aquidneck Ave. The move should help finish the project "on time and on budget" for the start of the 2027-2028 school year.
PROJECT LABOR AGREEMENT FOR NEW SCHOOL IN THE WORKS
MIDDLETOWN, RI (APRIL 24, 2025) – The Town of Middletown is taking another important step to make sure the new middle-high school is done “on time and on budget.”
Recently, the Town Council unanimously authorized Town Solicitor Peter Regan to review a Project Labor Agreement (PLA) between the trade unions and the Gilbane Building Co., the Providence firm construction manager for the new school at 1225 Aquidneck Ave.
According to legal and construction experts who looked into the matter, a PLA could help Middletown for several reasons.
For one, it helps make sure there are enough workers available throughout the project to get the work done in time for the opening of the 2027-2028 school year. It also provides protection against labor disruptions and delays caused by strikes and related disputes.
Attorney William O’Gara said a number of other Rhode Island communities have successfully used PLAs in recent years to get their school projects done on time and budget. O’Gara was hired to look into the PLA and after speaking with Gilbane representatives and conducting independent research, he endorsed the idea.
“A Project Labor Agreement is a labor agreement in connection with a specific construction project that requires that construction unions work continuously for the life of the project, regardless of whether or not their labor contracts expire,” O’Gara said. “It precludes labor unions from picketing and it precludes any sort of labor unrest in connection with the project.”
Noting Gilbane was the “premiere builder of public schools” in The Ocean State, O’Gara said having a PLA would help make sure there was a steady supply of qualified pipe fitters, plumbers, electricians and other subcontractors needed to get the job done.
“The subcontractors that actually compete for and perform this work in the Rhode Island market are overwhelmingly union,” O’Gara said. “The impact of a Project Labor Agreement that essentially utilizes union labor doesn’t place you at a meaningful competitive disadvantage because you have a network of subcontractors that have the skills, ability and track record of completing this type of work and competing successfully for this type of work.”
Construction on the new 211,000-square-foot school is expected to begin next month on property immediately north of Gaudet Middle School. The area was formerly home to the Starlight Drive-In.
The work is slated to be completed in time for opening day of the 2027-2028 school year.
Project leaders have said there’s a detailed plan in place to minimize disruptions and make sure every sports team has field space to use during the project. Normal school operations are not expected to be interrupted by the work. For more, visit https://mdl.town/NYCU-Plan online.
Construction vehicles will access the site via the old Starlight driveway in the area across from Park Drive. Construction will generally take place weekdays from 7 am-4 pm and Saturdays on an as needed basis.
Residents approved the new school at a special election in November 2023 as the centerpiece of an ambitious plan to remake the entire district.
The combined middle-high school was chosen to maximize efficiencies, save on costs and deliver the biggest bang for the buck with the new building.
As part of the plan, the existing Middletown High School building at 130 Valley Road will be transformed into a grade 2-5 learning center as well as the new offices for school administration and maintenance staff.
Around the corner, the Forest Avenue School building will be remade into a pre-kindergarten through first grade early childhood academy. There are also separate plans to make the Aquidneck School on Reservoir Road into a community center, a first for the town.
Updates are provided on the project at every regular council meeting. The volunteer School Building Committee guiding the effort meets every other Wednesday to make sure everything remains on track. Visit https://mdl.town/NewSchool for more.
Document Link: https://mdl.town/NYCU-PLA
About Middletown
The Town of Middletown is a vibrant municipality located on Aquidneck Island, known for its scenic beauty, historic landmarks, diverse economy and strong sense of community. For more information about all we have to offer, visit MiddletownRI.gov online.
Media Contact
Matt Sheley
Public Affairs Officer
401-842-6543
msheley@middletownri.gov